Big Sean Thought Key Wane’s Beats Were Wack In High School

Tell me about your “Beware” single. You decided to sample The Four Tops’ “Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got).” Why did you lift that for the record?
It was actually a part during Wayne’s verse, but that song, a lot of the producers like Mike Dean—who is a legendary producer that did a lot on Watch The Throne and did a lot of Geto Boys and UGK and Jay Z and all these different things—he co-produced it with my producer Key Wane, who is also a new producer getting in the game and the first producer I signed. He’s working with Drake and Beyoncé and all these different people.

It’s funny because I used to tell him his beats were wack in high school. Now, he’s on his way to being a legendary producer and my first producer. So, him and Mike Dean’s vision on the track. It brought like an eerie, simple vibe. I thought it was cool. I thought it fit the album really good.

You are known to be Kanye’s protege, but now that you are growing into your own artist, what advice do you take from him and what is something you do on your own as a gut reaction?
I definitely love to take what people have to offer. But most importantly, I listen to what I feel in my heart. Sometimes when I didn’t listen to my heart and things weren’t working out like how I wanted to. I made a promise to myself, especially after this album, I always listen to my heart. Always go with what I believe in. That’s one of the things [Kanye West] taught me indirectly without even saying. Just from his actions. He’s the best. Kanye West is the best. Period. Nobody can argue with that.

You gotta take risks at some point. You live and you learn. He had a lot to do with this, like DONDA and his company. The music. He was the reason that my album packaging looked so good. It’s such a conceptual album packaging. Everything from the music and the videos all went together so well. It really felt like a real project. He’s the reason I have a “Fire” beat. He gave me the beat for “Fire.” He had it and he loved it, but [he said], ‘I think this will be great for you.’ He gave me input on songs like “Nothing Is Stopping You.” I used his voice on “Nothing Is Stopping You.” He gave me a lot of input, the songs he liked. What were his favorite, what were his least favorite. All that. It’s just great. He’s a great dude and he let’s you be artistic.

Finally Famous debuted at No. 3. With your newfound buzz, do you think you’ll do a lot better?
Yeah, I hope so. You can only hope for the best, you feel me? I got a long time in this game, so whatever happens, happens. I’m definitely gonna keep putting albums out. Keep making music for my fans, for my believers. People who are inspired and for the dreamers. Yeah, I definitely hope for the best for sure. I hope people can go out and support.

Miley Cyrus is rumored to be on Kanye West’s remix to “Black Skinhead.” What are your thoughts on her becoming hip-hop?
I love that genres mix, man. I don’t get why people have to be so judgmental and so damn stupid. I think its cool. Whatever they want to do, whatever Miley and Kanye do, I’m sure it would be an event.

It was also supposed to be part of a remix EP. Would you do something similar for your fans?
Yeah, that actually sounds like a great idea. [Laughs]